A hotel chef identified as Joshua Usulor is facing a death sentence for the alleged murder of an Abuja-based lawyer, Mrs Feyisayo Obot.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Usulor, 21, who is also a lodger at the hotel allegedly murdered Obot, 34, at the Citiheights Hotel, Opebi, Lagos on Jan. 26, 2019, while trying to rob her in order to offset his outstanding hotel bills.
The suspect, during a trial on Monday, applied for a plea bargain agreement which was however rejected by the prosecution team of the Lagos State Government.
Prosecution counsel, O.A Bajulaiye-Bishiat informed the Ikeja Special Offences Court that the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution has rejected the agreement.
“My lord, the defendant through his counsel Mr Spurgeon Ataene had applied for a plea bargain agreement proposing a sentence of 25-years imprisonment.
“Unfortunately, the plea bargain agreement has been rejected and we will proceed with the trial,” Bajulaiye-Bishi said.
The prosecutor informed the court that the Investigating Police Officer in the case, Insp John Babalola was however unavailable to continue his testimony.
“The IPO is not around, he is on an official assignment, on the next adjourned date, he will continue his evidence,” she said.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until April 28 for a continuation of trial.
Usulor faces a charge of murder, contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015 and according to NAN, the law prescribes a death sentence for any individual found guilty of the offence.
The witnesses who have testified so far for the prosecution are – the hotel receptionist, Ms Lateefat Adebayo, the hotel Operations Manager, Mr Olabanji Ibitunde, the brother of the deceased, Mr Ige Afolabi and the IPO.(NAN)
